Southern Style
Wedding Gifts They Won’t Return
Find a memorable wedding present with the help of these three Southern shops
Photo: Alice Gao
THE TABLE TOPPER
Houston, Texas
Expert hostess Lyndsey Zorich brings her knack for setting memorable tables to the Avenue, her Houston shop and online collection of artisan-driven home goods. onlyontheavenue.com
Clockwise from top:
• Napkins The tiny tumbling florals on these D’Ascoli cotton napkins bring a bit of the garden to the party ($36 each).
• Vase Add flowers to this sculptural ceramic design by Virginia Sin, or leave it empty as an objet d’art ($268).
• Bowl Salads will seem even tastier when served in this hand-carved mango wood piece ($88).
• Flatware set Change up the knife-fork-spoon routine with bamboo-handled utensils ($34 for a set).
• Tablecloth Traditional ikat motifs such as this sunny yellow-and-blue D’Ascoli design look at once bold and timeless ($368–$428).
• Tumbler Short, seagrass-wrapped glasses make a great everyday addition to a cupboard ($15 each).
• Wineglass Enliven the tablescape with Estelle Colored Glass stemware in an unexpected blush hue ($75 for two).
Photo: Alice Gao
THE BAR STOP
Nashville, Tennessee
Last fall, the formerly online-only Reed Smythe & Company, dreamed up by the late Garden & Gun contributing editor Julia Reed and tastemaker Keith Smythe Meacham, opened a brick-and-mortar Nashville flagship, where uniquely Southern bar offerings shine. reedsmythe.com
Clockwise from top:
• Tray Corral glassware, bottle openers, swizzle sticks, and more on a handmade copper tray ($250).
• Lantern A glass hurricane lantern looks handsome whether used as a votive or an ice bucket ($300).
• Mocha ware bowl Stash cheese straws around the home during a party, in a bowl by Arkansas’s SJ Pottery ($100).
• Wishbone A token of good luck, this hand-cast, sterling-silver wishbone by Helen Bransford can secure cocktail napkins in a breeze ($450).
• Bottle opener Pop a top with a cast bronze beagle, golden retriever, Lab, or springer spaniel ($75 each).
• Cocktail mixing glass Stir up a batch of martinis in this antique-reproduction glass, which can double as a vase ($80).
• Milk punch set Whipping up milk punch for two comes easy with this set, which includes Julia Reed’s recipe, tortoiseshell highball glasses, homemade cheese straws, and Belle Meade bourbon ($175).
Photo: Alice Gao
THE SILVER BULLET
Charleston, South Carolina
The shelves of the King Street landmark Croghan’s Jewel Box, celebrated for its engagement rings and other fine jewelry, also overflow with silver utensils and pewter accessories—always classic gifts. croghansjewelbox.com
Clockwise from top left:
• Charger You might win the most original gift award with this braided pine needle charger trimmed in nickel ($85).
• Tray Paper may fade, but a wedding invitation’s details and date engraved onto a pewter tray will last eternally ($137).
• Oyster knife The shop engraves monograms, including on this sterling oyster knife ($150).
• Vase No two of the shop’s antique silver vases look the same, making one especially suited to gifting ($300–$1,000).
• Charleston rice spoon This elegant Lowcountry spoon doles out the ideal serving of rice ($50).
• Wine coaster Rest or display a special bottle in this English silver-plated piece ($125).
• Salt and pepper set You’ll want to allow these good dogs at the table: regal Labrador retrievers made from lead-free pewter ($51).
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